Enjoy the experience of
visiting centuries old Intramuros and Fort Santiago, find the
best routes in and out of the world class shopping areas of
Makati, or watch a spectacular sunset over Manila Bay
About Manila Philippines
Under the Köppen climate classification system, Manila features a
tropical wet and dry climate that borders on a tropical monsoon climate.
Together with the rest of the Philippines, Manila lies entirely within
the tropics. Its proximity to the equator means that the temperature
range is very small, rarely going lower than 20°C and going higher than
38°C. However, humidity levels are usually very high which makes it feel
much warmer. It has a distinct, albeit relatively short dry season from
January through April, and a relatively lengthy wet season from May
through December.
Manila Video
Manila Photos
For over 3 centuries Manila was colonized and administered by Spain who
left a great architectural heritage throughout the Philippines,
especially churches, forts and other colonial buildings. This can be
seen in the old part of the city, called Intramuros (the fortified city)
built in the late 16th century. Manila began as a settlement on the
banks of a river, the Pasig River, and its name originates from "Maynilad"
which refers to the mangrove plant known as Nilad, which was abundant in
the area. Prior to the arrival of Spanish in the 16th century, Maynilad
was populated by Hindu, Buddhist, and Islamic community descended from
the Indians from India, Arabs settlers from the Middle East who sailed
to the Philippines, and Chinese and Japanese. In 1571, 50 years after
Magellan's discovery of the islands, Spanish conquistador Miguel Lopez
de Legazpi claimed the Philippines as a colony and established Manila as
its capital. Manila was part of the Spanish East Indies until 1898, when
the U.S. took over the Philippines after the Spanish-American War.
The CITY OF MANILA, known as "Maynila" for the Filipinos, is the capital
city of the Philippines and one of the cities that make up the greater
metropolitan area of Metro Manila. Manila is the center of government in
the country and one of the central hubs of a thriving metropolitan area
home to over 14 million people. It is located on the shores of Manila
Bay just west of the geographical center of Metro Manila, also known as
the National Capital Region (NCR), which lies on an isthmus between
Manila Bay and Laguna de Bay in southern Luzon. The city is one of 17
cities and municipalities which form the metropolitan area.
